Seat latch mechanism

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a seat which is mounted on a vehicle frame for pivotal movement relative to an in-use position, together with a parking brake operable to prevent vehicle movement upon movement of the seat through a first predetermined distance from the in-use position, and a latch mechanism on the seat and on the frame and including first means for preventing movement of the seat through the first predetermined distance from the in-use position, and second means selectively movable between first and second positions, and being operable, when in the first position, for preventing limitation of movement of the seat by the first means, whereby to allow pivotal movement of the seat from the inuse position beyond the first predetermined distance, and for preventing movement of the seat through a second predetermined distance greater than the first predetermined distance from the in-use position and, when in said second position, for permitting seat movement prevention by the first means and for effecting movement of the second means to the first position upon movement of the seat toward the in-use position from a position at the first predetermined distance from the in-use position.

United States Patent McAulifle 51 Sept. 19, 1972 1541 SEAT LATCHMECHANISM [72] Inventor: Gerald N. McAuliffe, Lincoln, Nebr.

[73] Assignee: Outboard Marine Waukegan, 111.

[22] Filed: May 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 140,343

Corporation,

[52] US. Cl. ..248/384, 188/109, 248/397, 297/217, 292/D1G. 4

[51] Int. Cl. ..F16d 65/14, E05c 3/00 [58] Field of Search ..248/371,372, 373, 382, 384, 248/396, 397, 399, 407, 408, 409, 421, 423;

Primary Examiner-Marion Parsons, Jr. Attorney-Robert E. Clemency, JohnW. Michael, Gerrit D. Foster, Bayard 11. Michael, Paul R. Puerner,

Joseph A. Gemignani, Andrew 0. Riteris, Robert K. Gerling and Spencer B.Michael [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is a seat which is mounted on avehicle frame for pivotal movement relative to an in-use position,together with a parking brake operable to prevent vehicle movement uponmovement of the seat through a first predetermined distance from thein-use position, and a latch mechanism on the seat and on the frame andincluding first means for preventing movement of the seat through thefirst predetermined distance from the in-use position, and second meansselectively movable between first and second positions, and beingoperable, when in the first position, for preventing limitation ofmovement of the seat by the first means, whereby to allow pivotalmovement of the seat from the in-use position beyond the firstpredetermined distance, and for preventing movement of the seat througha second predetermined distance greater than the first predetermineddistance from the in-use position and, when in said second position, forpermitting seat movement prevention by the first means and for effectingmovement of the second means to the first position upon movement of theseat toward the in-use position from a position at the firstpredetermined distance from the in-use position.

19 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures SEAT LATCH MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The invention relates to vehicles, such as golf carts andsmall industrial vehicles, and to parking brake systems for suchvehicles, which parking brake systems are controlled, at least in part,by seat movement. The invention also relates to latch mechanism whichcontrol or affect such seat movement.

In the past, small vehicles, such as golf carts, have included parkingbrakes which would automatically engage whenever the user removes hisweight from the drivers seat. Such engagement occurred in cooperationwith movement of the seat through a distance from an in-use or weightedposition.

One example of a vehicle parking brake system which is so operable isdisclosed in the Von Seggern application Ser. No. 120,130 (AttomeysDocket No. 1362) filed on Mar. 2, 1971, and entitled AutomaticHydraulically Operated Seat Brake, which disclosure is incorporatedherein by reference. Another prior example of a vehicle parking brakesystem is disclosed in the Dence U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,522 issued July 25,1967.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a vehicle with a latchmechanism for a seat which is operable associated with a parking brakeand operable, when in an in-use position, to release a parking brake andwhich is biased away from the in-use position toward a spaced positionoperable to effect parking brake engagement. The latch mechanism of theinvention is selectively arrangeable in a normal operating position andin a position affording vehicle towing and is operable, when in thenormal operating position and when a person leaves the seat, to permitsufficient movement of the seat from the in-use position so as to effectengagement of the parking brake and thereby prevent unwanted vehiclemovement, and to thereafter limit further movement of the seat away fromthe in-use position. In addition, the latch mechanism is operable, whenthe latch mechanism components are in the towing position and when theseat is unoccupied, to prevent movement of the seat away from the in-useposition through a distance which is effective to engage the parkingbrake, whereby to retain the parking brake in released condition andthereby afford towing of the vehicle as may be desired. Still further,the latch mechanism is additionally operable, when the components areinitially in the towing position and, when the seat is subsequentlymoved to the in-use position, to cause displacement of the components tothe normal operating position.

The seat latch mechanism in accordance with the invention thereforadvantageously serves, when in the mechanism can also be advantageouslyarranged to retain the seat, even though unoccupied, in a partiallyraised position which retains the parking brake in released condition,thereby permitting towing by another vehicle. However, upon movement ofthe seat to the in-use position, the latch mechanism automaticallyreorganizes itself to the normal operating position which affordsautomatic engagement of the parking brake whenever an occupant leavesthe seat.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the latch mechanismincludes a latch member or bar which is pivotally mounted on the seatand which includes a notch arranged to engage a strike on the vehicleframe so as to retain the seat in a partially raised position which isineffective to engage the brake and thereby affords towing. The latchmechanism further includes a hook member which includes a hook portionand a flange and which is mounted on the latch bar for movement betweena normal operating position and a position affording towing. When thehook member is in the normal operating position, the hook portion islocated to engage the strike and to limit movement of the seat from thein-use position after the brake has been engaged. At the same time, theflange is located in covering or blocking relation to the notch toprevent entry therein of the strike and to prevent pivotal movement ofthe hook member relative to the latch member. When the hook member is inthe position afi'ording towing, the hook portion is displaced so as toprevent engagement thereby with the strike and the flange is locatedclear of the entrance to the notch in the latch bar so as to permitentrance therein of the strike to retain the seat in a partially raisedposition with the brake released, thereby affording towing. In addition,the flange is located in position for engagement by the strike so that,upon seat movement to the in-use position, the hook member will becammed by the strike from the towing position to the normal operatingposition.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of avehicle including a latch mechanism for a seat operably associated witha parking brake so as to afford, when the latch mechanism components arein one condition, disengagement or release of the parking brake when theseat is occupied and engagement of the brake when the seat is unoccupiedand to afford, when the latch mechanism components are in anothercondition, maintenance of the parking brake in a released condition soas to enable towing of the vehicle even though the seat is unoccupied.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of aseat latch mechanism including a hook member selectively movable betweena normal operating position and a position affording towing andincluding a flange which is located, when the hook member is in thenormal operating position, in blocking relation to a strike receivingnotch in a latch member connected to the seat and which is located, whenthe hook member is in the towing position, clear of the notch to permitentrance therein of the strike and in position for engagement with thestrike to cam the hook member from the towing position to the normaloperating position upon movement of the seat to the inuse position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a vehicle having aseat operated parking brake and a seat latch mechanism which is of thetype referred to in the preceding paragraphs, which is economical tomanufacture, and which will provide a long and useful life.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known byreference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a vehicle includinga seat latch mechanism embodying various of the features of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the components of the seatlatch mechanism included in the vehicle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 2 andillustrating the seat latch components in another position.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Shown in FIG. 1 is a fragmentarily illustratedvehicle 1 1, such as a golf cart or small industrial vehicle, whichvehicle includes a frame 13 and a seat 17 movably mounted on the frame13. While other constructions can be employed, in the illustratedconstruction, the seat 17 is pivotally connected, at its front, to theframe 13 by a pivot 19 and is movable relative to the frame 13 and to anin-use position with the rear of the seat 17 in adjacent relation to theframe 13.

Controlled by seat movement is a parking brake 21 which is shownschematically in FIG. 1 and is suitably mounted on the frame 13. Theparking brake 21 is actuated in response to operation of a schematicallyshown mechanism 23 including an actuating lever or member 27 which iscarried by the frame 13, which is operably connected to the parkingbrake 21, and which engages the undersurface of the seat 17. When theseat is in the in-use position, i.e., when an operator is sitting on theseat, the actuating member 27 is depressed and the parking brake 21 isreleased to afford vehicle move ment.

However, when the operator removes his weight from the seat 17, the seat17 rises from the in-use position permitting following movement of theactuating member 27. When the seat has moved a predetermined distancefrom the in-use position, the accompanying movement of the actuatingmember 27 is effective to apply or engage the parking brake 21 toprevent vehicle movement. As already indicated, parking brakeconstructions of the general type herein contemplated are more fullydescribed in the previously identified Von Seggern application and DenceUS. Pat. No. 3,332,522.

In order to cause the seat 17 to rise from the in-use position when anoperator is not in the seat 17, and thereby to normally insure that theparking brake 21 will be engaged when the seat 17 is unoccupied, meansare. provided for biasing the seat 17 away from the inuse position.Various means can be employed. In the illustrated construction, acompression spring 29 is located in telescopic relation to the actuatingmember 27 and between the frame 13 and the seat 17 In accordance withthe invention, there is provided a seat latch mechanism 33 which isalternately operable either to permit the seat to swing upwardly throughthe predetermined amount so as to engage the parking brake 21 andthereafter to limit the amount of permitted upward seat travel past thepredetermined distance from the in-use position when the operator leavesthe seat 17 or, in the event that it is desired to tow the vehiclewithout anyone in the seat, to retain the seat 17 in a position locatedless than the predetermined distance from the in-use position so thatthe parking brake 21 will be maintained in a released condition.

More specifically in accordance with the invention, the latch mechanismor assembly 33 includes components on each of the frame 13 and the seat17 and comprises first means operable to prevent movement of the seat 17through the predetermined distance from the in-use position which iseffective to engage the parking brake 21 and thereby allow the parkingbrake 21 to remain in released condition, together with second meanswhich is selectively movable between first and second positions in whichthe latch mechanism components are respectively arranged to providenormal operation and to facilitate towing. More specifically, the secondmeans is operable, when in the first or normal operating position, torender inefiective the first means for preventing movement of the seat17, whereby to allow pivotal movement of the seat 17 from the in-useposition beyond the predetermined distance and thereby to engage theparking brake 21, and for preventing movement of the seat 17 beyond asecond predetermined distance greater than the brake engagingpredetermined distance from the in-use position. In addition, the secondmeans is operable, when in the second or towing position, to permit thefirst means to prevent such seat movement under the influence of thespring as would engage the parking brake 21 and, in response to movementof the seat toward the in-use position, to displace the second meansfrom the second position to the first position. Thus, in the event thatthe vehicle 1 1 has been towed and the latch mechanism 33 is engagedsuch that the first means is operating to locate the seat 17 in aposition below the predetermined distance which serves to engage theparking brake 21, and an operator subsequently sits on the seat 17, theresulting downward movement of the seat 17 causes the latch mechanism 33to reorganize itself so that the second means moves to the firstposition and so that, upon removal of the operator from the seat, thelatch mechanism 33 will block operation of the first means and willpermit the seat 17 to travel beyond the predetermined distance to engagethe parking brake 21 before being engaged by the second means.

While other constructions could be employed, in the illustratedconstruction, the first means for preventing seat movement through thepredetermined distance which is effective to engage the parking brake 21and thereby to permit towing includes a strike or lock pin 37 which iscarried by a pair of spaced arms or legs 39 forming a part of a bracket41 suitably fixed to the frame 13.

The illustrated first means also includes a latch member or bar 47having forward and rearward edges 49 and 51, respectively, and anupwardly and rearwardly open notch 53 on the lower portion of therearward edge 51, together with means mounting the latch bar 47 on theseat 17 for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the strike 37 andwith the notch 53 located for engagement with the strike 37 when theseat 17 is located in spaced relation from the in-use position at adistance less than the predetermined distance which is effective toengage the parking brake 21.

Various latch bar mounting means can be employed, and in the illustratedconstruction, the latch bar 47 is carried on a pivot 57 extendingbetween spaced supports 59 fixed to the seat 17.

Means are also provided for biasing the latch bar 47 in the directionwhich is effective to engage the notch 53 with the strike 37 when theseat 17 is at the proper distance from the in-use position. Whilevarious arrangements can be employed, in the illustrated construction,such means comprises a torsion spring 61 extending around the pivot 57and having one end (not shown) engaged with one of the supports 59 andthe other end engaged with an upper portion of the forward edge 49 ofthe latch bar 47.

Means are also provided for limiting the permissable movement of thelatch bar in the clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 2, under theinfluence of the spring 61 to a position affording engagement of thestrike 37 within the notch 53 when the seat is at the proper distancefrom the in-use position. While various arrangements can be employed, inthe illustrated construction, such means can comprise engagement of anedge 63 on the seat 17 with an upper portion of the rearward edge 51 ofthe latch bar 47.

While other constructions can be employed, in the illustratedconstruction, the before mentioned second means includes, in addition tothe before mentioned strike 37, a hook member 69 having, at the lowerend thereof, a projecting hook shaped portion 71 defining, at least inpart, a second upwardly and rearwardly open notch 73 adapted to engageor receive the strike 37, together with means mounting the hook member69 from the seat 17 with the hook shaped portion 71 extending rearwardlyand below the bottom of the latch bar 47 and for movement relative to afirst or normal operating position which blocks entry of the strike 37into the notch 53 and therefor renders the latch bar 47 inoperable tolimit movement of the seat 17 and which also affords engagement of thehook portion 71 with the strike 37 to prevent further movement of theseat 'away from the in-use position after the seat has traveled beyondthe distance which is effective to engage the parking brake 21. The hookmember is also movable relative to a second or towing position in whichthe notch 53 is unblocked to afford receipt therein of the strike 37 andin which the hook member is arranged for displacement by the strike 37to the normal operating position in response to seat movement to thein-use position.

While other constructions can be employed, the hook member mountingmeans includes the before mentioned latch bar 47 and means pivotallyconnecting the upper end of the hook member 69 to the latch bar 47 aboutan axis parallel to the pivot 57. The hook member mounting means alsoaffords movement of the hook member 69 in the direction of the pivotalaxis between the hook member 69 and the latch bar 47 and away from aposition in adjacent relation to the latch bar 47. While variousarrangements can be employed, in the illustrated construction, such hookmember mounting means comprises an aperture (not shown) in the latch bar47 and a stud or pin 77 extending from the upper portion of said hookmember 69 and through the aperture in the latch bar 47, and including,at its end, an enlarged head 79.

Means are provided for releasably retaining the hook member 69 in theposition of adjacent relation to the a pair of latch bar 47. Whilevarious arrangements can be employed, in the illustrated construction,there is provided a helical spring 81 extending between the latch bar 47and the head 79 in telescopic relation to the pin 77.

Means are also provided for limiting movement of the hook member 69 awayfrom the latch bar 47 along the axis of the pin 77. Various arrangementscan be employed. For example, such hook member movement away from thelatch bar 47 can be limited when the coils of the spring 81 come intocontacting engagement with one another. Alternatively, one of the spacedlegs or arms 39 of the bracket 41 supporting the strike 37 can belocated either to cooperate with the spring arrangement just describedor to operate independently of the spring 81 to engage the hook member69 so as to limit such axial hook member movement away from the latchbar 47.

Means are also provided for limiting pivotal movement of the hook member69 relative to the latch bar and thereby to establish the first ornormal hook member operating position and the second or hook membertowing position. Various arrangements can be employed. In theillustrated construction, means in the form of a flange 83 extendingfrom the upper part of the rearward edge of the hook member 69 isprovided to perform (when the hook member 69 is in the normal operatingposition in adjacent to the latch bar as shown in FIG. 2) the dualfunctions of blocking entrance to the notch 53 and of limiting bothclockwise and counterclockwise movement of the hook member 69 relativeto the latch bar 47 Means are also provided for limiting movement of thehook member 69 relative to the latch bar in the clockwise direction whenthe hook member is spaced laterally from its adjacent position inrelation to the latch bar 47. While various arrangements can beemployed, in the illustrated construction, the forward lower portion ofthe hook member 69 includes a projection 87 which is engageable with thelower forward edge 49 of the latch bar.

Means are also provided for limiting pivotal movement of the hook member69 relative to the latch bar 47,in the clockwise direction as seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, when the hook member 69 is laterally spaced from itsadjacent position relative to the latch bar 47 and for displacing thehook member 47 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shownin FIG. 2 when the seat 17 is moved toward the in-use position, as forinstance, when an operator sits on the seat 17 after previous engagementof the latch bar 47 with the strike 37. While various arrangements canbe employed, in the illustrated construction, such means compriseseither the strike 37 or an edge 91 on the bracket 41 or on the frame 17extending in spaced parallel relation to the strike 37 and a portion ofthe flange 83 which engages the strike 37 or edge 91 as the seat 17 ismoved toward the in-use position.

In operation, when the hook member 69 is in the position of adjacentrelation to the latch bar 47 and the seat 17 is empty, the strike 37 isengaged by the hook shaped portion 71 of the hook member 69, therebylocating the seat 17 in its fully raised position with the parking brake21 engaged. When a driver or other person sits on the seat 17, the seat17 is depressed to the in-use position, thereby depressing the actuatingL member 27 and releasing the parking brake 21. During movement of theseat 17 to the in-use position, the

rearwardly and upwardly inclined upper edge of the I, notch 73 is cammedagainst the strike 37 to slightly engaged by the hook portion 71 of thehook member- 69.:to thereby limitfurtherupward movement of the seat 17above the in-use position.

if it is desired to tow the vehicle 11, the latch mechanism 33 can bemanipulated to displace the hook member 69 laterally away from the latchbar 47 in the direction of the pin axis-and against the influence of thespring 81. When the. hook member69 is thus moved away from the latch bar47 so that the flange 83 clears the rear edge 51 of the latch bar 47,the hook member 69 can than be. pivoted in the counterclockwisedirection, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, to the position shown in FIG. 3,thereby' uncovering the entrance to the notch 53 in the latch bar 47 andalso locating the flange 83 either in engagement with, or in positionfor engagement with the strike 37 to cam the hook member 69 to thenormal operating position upon seat movement to the in-use position.Assuming the seat 17 to be unoccupied, the seat 17 is then. partiallydepressed so that the strike-37 rides up the bottom and rearward edgesof thelatch bar 47 and enters into the notch 53 after seat movementtoward the in-use position has effected release of the parking brake 21.The

latch mechanism 33 will remain in this position to permit towing untilthe latch mechanism 33 is manually manipulated to return the hook member69 to the posiedge 51 of the latch bar 47. Upon such clearance, thespring 81 will cause the hook member 69 to move laterally into adjacentrelation to the latch bar 47, thereby moving the flange 83 into blockingrelation to the notch 53 in the latch bar 47. Accordingly, when the seat17 is again permitted to swing upwardly under. the influence of thespring 29, as for instance, when the operator gets off the seat 17, theseat 17 will move upwardly until engaged by the hook shaped portion 71of the hook member 69, and thereby also effecting engagement of theparking brake 21.

It is to be noted that both the lower edges of the latch bar 47 and thehook member 69 are inclined in the' rearward and upward direction so asto swing the latch mechanism 33 forwardly (i.e., in the counterclockwisedirection) about the pivot 57 when either edge is engagedby the strike37. The pivotal mounting of the latch mechanism 33 about the pivot 37also permits the latch mechanism 33 to be initially swung in thecounterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 2, sufficiently to permitmovement of the hook member 69 to initially locate the hook portion 71below the strike 37.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims. I

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A vehicle including a frame, a seat mounted on said frame for pivotalmovement relative to an inuse position, a parking brake operable toprevent vehicle movement upon movement of said seat through a firstpredetermined distance from said in-use position, a latch mechanism onsaid seat and onsaid frame and including first means for preventingmovement of said seat through said first predetermined distance fromsaid in-use position, and second means selectively movable between firstandsecond positions and opera-a ble, when in said first position,forrendering ineffective said first means for preventing movement ofsaid seat,

whereby to allow pivotal movement of saidseat from said in-use positionbeyond said first predetermined distance, and for preventing movement ofsaid seat from said in-use position beyond a second predetermineddistance greater than said first predetermined distance and, when insaid second position, for permitting seat movement prevention by saidfirst means andfor effecting movement of said'second means to said firstposition upon movement of said seat toward said in-use position. v

2. A seat latch mechanism including a frame, a seat mounted on saidframe for movement relative to a first position, a latch mechanism onsaid seat and on said frame and including first means operable forpreventing movement of said seat to'a second position located at a firstpredetermined distance from said first seat position, and second meansoperable, when in a first position, for rendering ineffective said firstmeans for.

preventing movement of said seat, whereby to allow movement of said seatfrom said first position beyond said second seat position, and forpreventing movement operable, when in said second position, foreffecting movement of said second means to said first position uponmovement of said seat toward said first seat position.

5. A seat latch in accordance with claim 3 including means biasing saidseat away from said first seat position.

. 6. A seat latch in accordance with claim 3 wherein said latchmechanism includes a strike mounted on said 1 frame and said first meansincludes a latch member having a notch, and means mounting said latchmember on said seat with said notch in position for receipt of saidstrike when said second means is in said second position and said seatis spaced from said first seat position at a distance less than saidfirst predetermined distance.

7. A seat latch in accordance with claim 6 wherein said latch membermounting means includes means affording pivotal movement of said latchmember relative to said seat, means on said seat limiting pivotalmovement of said latch member in the direction which is effective toengage said notch about said strike, and means biasing said latch memberin said direction.

8. A seat latch in accordance with claim 3 wherein said latch memberincludes a strike mounted on said frame and said second means includes ahook member, and means mounting said hook member from said seat formovement relative to a position with said hook member located forengagement with said strike in response to movement of said seat beyondsaid first predetermined distance from said first seat position.

9. A seat latch in accordance with claim 8 wherein said means mountingsaid hook member from said seat includes a latch member pivotallymounted on said seat, and means connecting said latch member and saidhook member for pivotal movement of said hook member relative to saidlatch member between first and second positions.

10. A seat latch in accordance with claim 9 and further including meansbiasing said latch member in the direction to engage said hook memberwith said strike, and means limiting movement of said latch member insaid direction.

11. A seat latch in accordance with claim 9 wherein said latch memberincludes a notch located for receipt of said strike and including meanson said hook member operable, when said hook member is in said firstposition, for blocking said notch and for limiting pivotal movement ofsaid hook member relative to said latch member.

12. A seat latch in accordance with claim 9 including means on saidlatch member and on said hook member preventing pivotal movementtherebetween in one direction beyond a predetermined amount of movement.

13. A seat latch in accordance with claim 9 wherein said meansconnecting said hook member and said latch member affords movement ofsaid hook member away from a position in adjacent relation to said latchmember in the direction axially of the pivotal connection between saidlatch member and said hook member, and means biasing said hook membertoward said hook member position in adjacent relation to said latchmember.

14. A seat latch in accordance with claim 13 including means on saidframe and on said hook member limiting hook member pivotal movement inone direction relative to said latch member when said hook member isspaced from said hook member position in adjacent relation to said latchmember.

15. A seat latch in accordance with claim 14 wherein said means on saidframe and on said hook member limiting hook member pivotal movement inone direction comprises an edge on said frame in spaced parallelrelation to said strike and flange on said hook member.

16. A seat latch in accordance with claim 9 wherein said meansconnecting said latch member and said hook member also permits relativemovement between said hook member and said latch member in directionsaxially of the pivotal connection therebetween and including meanslimiting movement of said hook member away from said latch member in thedirection of the axis of the pivotal connection between said hook memberand said latch member.

17. A seat latch mechanism comprising a frame including a strike and acamming edge, a seat pivotally mounted on said frame, an element havingspaced edges and a notch in one of said edges, means pivotally mountingsaid element on said seat, means biasing said element in the directionto engage said one edge against said strike, a member having an edgewith a strike engaging hook portion, a flange extending from said strikeengaging hook portion, and a projection spaced from said flange, meansmounting said member on said element for pivotal movement about an axisparallel to said element axis and for movement along said parallel axis,and means urging said member into adjacent relation to said element withsaid hook portion extending below said element and with said flangeextending in opposing relation to at least a part of said one edge andin blocking relation to said notch and with said projection adjacent tothe other of said edges of said element.

18. A seat latch mechanism in accordance with claim 17 including meansfor limiting pivotal movement of said member relative to said element.

19. A seat latch mechanism in accordance with claim 17 including meansfor limiting movement of said member relative to said element along saidaxis.

1. A vehicle including a frame, a seat mounted on said frame for pivotalmovement relative to an in-use position, a parking brake operable toprevent vehicle movement upon movement of said seat through a firstpredetermined distance from said in-use position, a latch mechanism onsaid seat and on said frame and including first means for preventingmovement of said seat through said first predetermined distance fromsaid in-use position, and second means selectively movable between firstand second positions and operable, when in said first position, forrendering ineffective said first means for preventing movement of saidseat, whereby to allow pivotal movement of said seat from said in-useposition beyond said first predetermined distance, and for preventingmovement of said seat from said in-use position beyond a secondpredetermined distance greater than said first predetermined distanceand, when in said second position, for permitting seat movementprevention by said first means and for effecting movement of said secondmeans to said first position upon movement of said seat toward saidin-use position.
 2. A seat latch mechanism including a frame, a seatmounted on said frame for movement relative to a first position, a latchmechanism on said seat and on said frame and including first meansoperable for preventing movement of said seat to a second positionlocated at a first predetermined distance from said first seat position,and second means operable, when in a first position, for renderingineffective said first means for preventing movement of said seat,whereby to allow movement of said seat from said first position beyondsaid second seat position, and for preventing movement of said seat fromsaid first position beyond a third seat position located at a secondpredetermined distance from said first seat position greater than saidfirst predetermined distance.
 3. A seat latch mechanism in accordancewith claim 2 wherein said second means is movable to a second positionspaced from said first position and being operable, when in said secondposition, for permitting seat movement prevention by said first means.4. A seat latch mechanism in accordance with claim 2 wherein said secondmeans is movable to a second position spaced from said first positionand being operable, when in said second position, for effEcting movementof said second means to said first position upon movement of said seattoward said first seat position.
 5. A seat latch in accordance withclaim 3 including means biasing said seat away from said first seatposition.
 6. A seat latch in accordance with claim 3 wherein said latchmechanism includes a strike mounted on said frame and said first meansincludes a latch member having a notch, and means mounting said latchmember on said seat with said notch in position for receipt of saidstrike when said second means is in said second position and said seatis spaced from said first seat position at a distance less than saidfirst predetermined distance.
 7. A seat latch in accordance with claim 6wherein said latch member mounting means includes means affordingpivotal movement of said latch member relative to said seat, means onsaid seat limiting pivotal movement of said latch member in thedirection which is effective to engage said notch about said strike, andmeans biasing said latch member in said direction.
 8. A seat latch inaccordance with claim 3 wherein said latch member includes a strikemounted on said frame and said second means includes a hook member, andmeans mounting said hook member from said seat for movement relative toa position with said hook member located for engagement with said strikein response to movement of said seat beyond said first predetermineddistance from said first seat position.
 9. A seat latch in accordancewith claim 8 wherein said means mounting said hook member from said seatincludes a latch member pivotally mounted on said seat, and meansconnecting said latch member and said hook member for pivotal movementof said hook member relative to said latch member between first andsecond positions.
 10. A seat latch in accordance with claim 9 andfurther including means biasing said latch member in the direction toengage said hook member with said strike, and means limiting movement ofsaid latch member in said direction.
 11. A seat latch in accordance withclaim 9 wherein said latch member includes a notch located for receiptof said strike and including means on said hook member operable, whensaid hook member is in said first position, for blocking said notch andfor limiting pivotal movement of said hook member relative to said latchmember.
 12. A seat latch in accordance with claim 9 including means onsaid latch member and on said hook member preventing pivotal movementtherebetween in one direction beyond a predetermined amount of movement.13. A seat latch in accordance with claim 9 wherein said meansconnecting said hook member and said latch member affords movement ofsaid hook member away from a position in adjacent relation to said latchmember in the direction axially of the pivotal connection between saidlatch member and said hook member, and means biasing said hook membertoward said hook member position in adjacent relation to said latchmember.
 14. A seat latch in accordance with claim 13 including means onsaid frame and on said hook member limiting hook member pivotal movementin one direction relative to said latch member when said hook member isspaced from said hook member position in adjacent relation to said latchmember.
 15. A seat latch in accordance with claim 14 wherein said meanson said frame and on said hook member limiting hook member pivotalmovement in one direction comprises an edge on said frame in spacedparallel relation to said strike and flange on said hook member.
 16. Aseat latch in accordance with claim 9 wherein said means connecting saidlatch member and said hook member also permits relative movement betweensaid hook member and said latch member in directions axially of thepivotal connection therebetween and including means limiting movement ofsaid hook member away from said latch member in the direction of theaxis of the pivotal connection between said hook member and said latchmember.
 17. A seat latch mechanism comprising a fRame including a strikeand a camming edge, a seat pivotally mounted on said frame, an elementhaving spaced edges and a notch in one of said edges, means pivotallymounting said element on said seat, means biasing said element in thedirection to engage said one edge against said strike, a member havingan edge with a strike engaging hook portion, a flange extending fromsaid strike engaging hook portion, and a projection spaced from saidflange, means mounting said member on said element for pivotal movementabout an axis parallel to said element axis and for movement along saidparallel axis, and means urging said member into adjacent relation tosaid element with said hook portion extending below said element andwith said flange extending in opposing relation to at least a part ofsaid one edge and in blocking relation to said notch and with saidprojection adjacent to the other of said edges of said element.
 18. Aseat latch mechanism in accordance with claim 17 including means forlimiting pivotal movement of said member relative to said element.
 19. Aseat latch mechanism in accordance with claim 17 including means forlimiting movement of said member relative to said element along saidaxis.